Spraying Set For South San Jose After More Mosquitoes Found With West Nile Virus

SAN JOSE - A section of South San Jose will be treated next week after mosquitoes found with West Nile virus were recently found in the area, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District said Thursday.

This will be the second spraying done by the county, slated for two new San Jose-area zip codes.

Last week, officials sprayed an area of San Jose regionalized by the 95125, 95124, 95008, and 95118 zip code areas of the cities of San Jose and Campbell.

Also on Patch: First 2016 West Nile Virus-Positive Mosquitoes Found In Campbell, San Jose

The new treatment is in response to the recent discovery of adult mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus in the 95136, 95123 and 95118 zip code areas, vector control district officials said.

The district has scheduled ground fogging operations starting at 11 p.m. on June 23 until about 2 a.m. on June 24 in an area around state Highway 87 and Branham Lane.

The fogging will happen in an area roughly bordered by Hillsdale Avenue to the north, Snell Avenue to the east, Blossom Hill Road to the south and Almaden Expressway to the west, district officials said.

(A map is attached showing the new spray area.)

The treatment will help stop people from contracting the virus, according to district officials.

"The initial 2016 detection of mosquitoes carrying WNV in Santa Clara County is now followed closely by our second detection a week later," vector control district manager Denise Bonilla said in a statement.

"So far this year there have not been any WNV human cases reported in the county or the state, and our goal is to prevent infected mosquitoes from transmitting WNV to Santa Clara County residents," Bonilla said.

Anyone in the area during the treatment can stay indoors and close their windows to decrease their exposure to the treatment, according to district officials.

Residents can prevent the virus from spreading by disposing any standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs and making sure their door and window screens are repaired.

People can also limit their time outside to the dusk and dawn hours and wear long sleeves if they are outdoors while mosquitoes are active, according to district officials.

Vector control personnel will alert residents by sending door hangers to the impacted area on Monday and through various social media networks.

People who have questions on the treatment can call district staff at (800) 314-2427 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 23 and 24.

Inquiries can also be sent by email to vectorinfo@deh.sccgov.org.

-Bay City News; file image of SCCVCD workers testing sprayer in Mountain View/2012 via Dave Colby, image of new spray area via SCCVCD